What to Do When You Dislike Your Boss

That 9-5 grind.  Or, perhaps, longer hours.  Maybe just a few occasional hour here and there.  No matter the time you are investing into your career or side hustle, having to answer to someone who is difficult to work for or with can be incredibly challenging and also detrimental to your own personal ability to achieve accomplishments.

Now, we don’t want to give anyone outside of yourself too much power to affect your efficiency, but we also wanted to acknowledge that sometimes, just sometimes, an authority over you, in any capacity, can have some involvement in your everyday behaviors and overall self-esteem., when proper boundaries are not put in place.

This isn’t about the bosses who lead by example appropriately. This is about the boss who is counter-productive, condescending, critical or downright creepy. Having such a huge following of fearless and professional women, we thought we’d reach out for your feedback on what’s best when dealing with a boss you dislike.

Here you have it…

Krissy S. – “Well...you always have options. Suck it up until you find something more suited to your needs/wants or quit and deal with the consequences of being unemployed for however long it takes you to get back on your feet.  I know politics and drama can be big issues in the work place but if you keep your head down and stay in your lane it shouldn’t faze you that much. If you hate your job just remember that it’s not called “a job” for nothing. You go there to make money. That’s the sole purpose of a job.”

That said (and assuming you aren’t being mistreated or underpaid), it is best to keep your mind focused on the financial aspects and out of the debates.

Connie Z. took it to a compassion level, stating, “Pray for the person, as well as, forgive them. It's difficult to hate someone you pray for.”  If praying for others is a part of your lifestyle, consider adding them to your list.  Typically, hurt people tend to hurt others. Maybe adding a supernatural element of concern can trump the turbulence!

Tania L. kept it short and simple. “Move on. Life is too short to be unhappy.” 

Granted, there can be a lot riding on a certain role or position.  If it is to the point where the negatives outweigh the positives, certainly consider moving on.

Becky H. shared her personal pattern of professional relationships and shared that it may be worth looking at yourself. “I’ve had a lot of bosses, but luckily, I’ve had my current boss on and off for the last 11 years. This is a loaded question, is the problem the employee or the boss? Or are neither the problem and they just need to analyze their communication style and personality/temperaments?”

She continued, “I think it’s always a good approach to genuinely be who you are using your gifts and skills that God has given to you and stand firm in you’re calling. Sometimes those people just end up on their path and you end up on a different path or vice versa but either way I truly believe that people are put into your path to make you stronger whether they are mentors or somebody you just watch and learn not to act like.”

Then chimes in Sandy L. with another quick solution that keeps it simple and sane, “Find another job. Not worth the stress to stay.”

Jenna E. follows with a rhetorical sort of statement that leaves one to really weight what could potentially still be done to make it work – wherever you work. “The grass is greener where you water it.”

And Jen B. ends on a note that encourages a profession that is based in passion, not pressure! “Do something you love and it will never be a “job”. Be your own boss, then you can’t hate them!”

What about you?  Got any tips you have practiced or recommend when someone is having difficulty with their boss(es)?